<p>So, next year I'll be a junior and I dont know if I should take physics 1 honors or go straight to AP Physics B. My course load will already be pretty heavy (AP CHem, AP Psych, AP Lang, and AP French) and by then I will be taking Pre-Calc. Will it be bad if I take Honors in Junior year and AP in senior, or should I go straight into AP so it makes things look good? (btw, I want to apply to top Ivy League schools)</p>
<p>i’m currently a junior right now and last year i had to make that same decision. i decided to take AP physics B since i figured that it would look for college, but i’m going to warn you, it’s a VERY challenging class. If you’re good at science or have been exposed to introductory level physics, definitely go with AP. If you’re mediocre to average in science, i think that honors would be a better choice since you don’t want to risk taking AP and getting a low average in that class. Since you mentioned that you want to apply to top Ivy League schools, i’m going to assume that you’re a motivated and intelligent person. In that case, i think that you should take AP as long as you’re ready to handle the workload. Maybe try getting the review book and exposing yourself to the curriculum before classes start next fall.</p>
<p>Thanks! That really helped. 
Would it look bad though if I did honors than AP in senior? Im worried colleges will think im not challenging myself.</p>
<p>I would recommend you to take honors first since AP requires higher mathematic (like Ap calculus)</p>
<p>^Physics B does not require calculus. If I remember correctly, the mathematics used does not go past Algebra/Trigonometry</p>
<p>Bleh. APs aren’t the only factor colleges look at. If you have about 7+ APs overall, that’s plenty. </p>
<p>Oftentimes the biggest difference between the Honors course and the AP one is that the AP class is very regimented. The teachers have to follow a particular curriculum and can’t deviate. They can’t explore a different path, even if the kids are interested. The teachers can’t go into the depth they might be able to if it was an Honors program. Let me tell you, colleges want to see that you take an Honors class over a regular one, but don’t take an AP just to “hope” that it will mean something to a college.</p>
<p>My son took only 3 APs throughout HS, although our HS offered 22+ yet he got into a top-12 national research university. You’re already taking a very load, so what are you trying to prove?</p>
<p>Just make sure you’re taking Calculus, honors or AP by senior year. And Euro Hist or Gov is preferable over Psychology. (most colleges don’t give credit for the AP Psychology)</p>